Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Supplies

Check out these recent SATeam listings for lampwork beads, jewelry components and tutorials! Click on any picture to learn more about the item.



















The SATeam blog features artisan handmade creations by the etsy starving artists jewelry team. SATeam members create handcrafted jewelry and beads. More information about our team and its current etsy shop owner members can be found at SATEAM.etsy.com

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Through the day


I'm not a morning person, but on workdays I get up very early thanks to my human alarm clock. I prefer a rather slow start into the day. Unlike many others I don't need coffee for that start.
Coffee comes later when I am hitting the first "hole". I am lucky, it is delivered to my desk. Coffee, not the hole. The hole comes all by itself. Even if I don't drink coffee that often, I love the scent - and the rich brown color if it is made right.

These earrings by Katalina Jewelry remind me of coffee with a little milk in it.


It would be said too much if I claim to really be awake after that, but with a little luck the sun is up now and that often makes things a little easier, even if I can't sit in the open sun.
Have you noticed how people's mood changes when the sun comes out?

I bet lots of faces also light up when this sunny rose by Alatvian comes into view. What a beautiful yellow!


Noon changes into afternoon and afternoon changes into evening and if it wasn't a particularly stressful day, my time slowly comes and I start waking up. I especially like to sit outside in summer when the light slowly changes towards evening and you hardly notice it until you find yourself in that fascinating twilight that gets darker by the minute.

Ava Designs offers a beautiful pair of earrings that remind me of those summer evenings when I sit out there with my neighbor ... talking in a low voice ... not wanting to go inside.



And then there is the night, my element. I am a night owl. If there weren't neighbors to be considerate of, the night would be the time where I could do anything. I might even feel like doing the chores that are so hard for me during the day. Hm, maybe I might not. But I could cook and bake, in fact I did that before and was scolded by someone whose name shall be shrouded in mystery ;-)

This piece with a handmade lampwork bead has been set beautifully into sterling silver by Galadryl Design. I think it represents the night perfectly!


It's hard to drag myself to bed when I feel my energy is at its peak, but I know the human alarm clock will know no mercy.
And so I get ready for a brand-new day.

The SATeam blog features artisan handmade creations by the etsy starving artists jewelry team. SATeam members create handcrafted jewelry and beads. More information about our team and its current etsy shop owner members can be found at SATEAM.etsy.com.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Eye Candy: Focus on Rings

With rings on her fingers and bells on her toes
She shall have music wherever she goes






















The SATeam blog features artisan handmade creations by the etsy starving artists jewelry team. SATeam members create handcrafted jewelry and beads. More information about our team and its current etsy shop owner members can be found at SATEAM.etsy.com.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

More Timeless Pearls

Last week we discussed how pearls are produced by molluscs. The fact that pearls are produced by an animal affects the colour, shape and texture of pearls.

Shape: Pearls come in a variety of shapes. The classic and most sought after shape is full round. But perfectly round pearls are very rare, with a price tag to match. Off-round pearls are close to round and often appear round from a distance. More common are potato and rice pearls which are oval, and button pearls which are flat on one side. Baroque pearls are oddly or irregularly shaped pearls.

Texture: Not all pearls have the same texture. When picturing a pearl, most people think of smooth pearls. Smooth pearls are beautiful, but they do command a premium price. Oval pearls often have ridges around the middle and are more moderately priced. Some pearls have blemishes, areas that look like burst bubbles. These blemishes can add interest to a piece if used as part of the design.

Colour: The colour of pearls depends on the variety of mollusc that produced it. Natural pearl colours include white, cream, ivory, champagne, pale pink, peach, bronze and peacock. But many pearls, even white and cream ones are in fact treated and dyed. As a result, pearls are available in most every colour imaginable.

Care: The organic nature of pearls makes them more vulnerable to acids, heat and extreme humidity, which cause them to lose their beauty and reduce their lifespan. Special care should be taken with pearls.
• Perfume, hair spray and skin creams should be applied before you put on pearls so that the pearls are not sprayed or coated with the product.
• The acid in perspiration damages the nacre and lustre of pearls, so pearls should be cleaned with a dry, lint-free cloth before they are put away.
• Use warm soapy water to clean pearls (never use an ultrasonic cleaner), but avoid getting water into the drill holes – this could cause a change in the colour of the pearls.
• Pearls should not be stored in a plastic bag as the bag will cause condensation. Instead, pearls should be stored in a cloth pouch or in acid-free tissue paper. This will also protect the pearls from impact with other stones.
• Store pearls away from direct sunlight as it can change the colour of the pearls.
• Wear your pearls at least once a month. The small amount of humidity from your skin is actually good for them!

Since wearing pearls is good for them, feel free to indulge yourself with some fabulous pearl jewelry!








Featuring artisan handmade creations by the Etsy Starving Artists jewelry team. SATeam members create handcrafted jewelry and beads. More information about our team and its current Etsy shop owner members can be found at SATEAM.etsy.com.

Friday, June 25, 2010

SATeam Sez

It's FRIDAY!

Here are a few of the newest listings from SATeam members. Click on any photo to learn more!













Featuring artisan handmade creations by the etsy starving artists jewelry team. SATeam members create handcrafted jewelry and beads. More information about our team and its current etsy shop owner members can be found at SATEAM.etsy.com.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Supplies: Focus on the Basics

Today in the Supplies feature, we take a look at a variety of basic supplies useful to any jewelry artist. From simple earwires to handmade charms, the SATeam has got you covered! Click on any picture to learn more about the item.















The SATeam blog features artisan handmade creations by the etsy starving artists jewelry team. SATeam members create handcrafted jewelry and beads. More information about our team and its current Etsy shop owner members can be found at SATEAM.etsy.com

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

A song in my head


I like to play games, you might remember the one with the clouds.
Let's do a little variation today.

Sometimes I look at a piece (of jewelry, of nature, of fabric, of ... I'm running out of ideas now) and it reminds me of a song.
So I packed my little backpack to go for another stroll through SATeam's shops, of course taking my muse with me - and you. Even if a technique is totally different, those browsing tours give me ideas, but first of all they are fun and it is easy to get lost on the way. There is so much to see, so if you are ready, let's go!

I'll show you some pieces of jewelry and you can find my own "solutions" at the end of the post.

1. SilvahSurfah pendant by ROCKnWOW


2. Bee Happy necklace by AJ Design Jewelry


3. Pride bracelet by Distinction Jewelry


4. Juicy red strawberry lampwork earrings from Erika Price Designs


The SATeam blog features artisan handmade creations by the etsy starving artists jewelry team. SATeam members create handcrafted jewelry and beads. More information about our team and its current etsy shop owner members can be found at SATEAM.etsy.com.

And here they come now - my answers!

1. That was easy, wasn't it? It's "Surfin' USA" by the Beach Boys of course!

2. Although this is a bee, it made me think of Nikolai Rimski-Korsakow's "Flight of the bumble bee". My brain does that with me.

3. Did you see the rainbow colors? The song is "Over the rainbow" sung by Judy Garland in "The Wizard of Oz", one of my all-time favorite songs.

4. I love The Beatles. The answer is "Strawberry fields forever"!


Oh, and by the way, playing with associations is a good exercise for the brain .... ;-)

Monday, June 21, 2010

Eye Candy: Focus on Red

Red hot! Stunning, sexy, sure to be noticed. Click on any picture to learn more about the item:











The SATeam blog features artisan handmade creations by the etsy starving artists jewelry team. SATeam members create handcrafted jewelry and beads. More information about our team and its current etsy shop owner members can be found at SATEAM.etsy.com.